Aviation News
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (RTX) announced a successful first flight test of the new Extended Range Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM-ER) variant, marking a significant milestone in its air defense missile development program. This innovative variant represents a first-of-its-kind configuration, incorporating several advanced technologies.
Photo: Raytheon
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Recent media coverage frequently portrays air and missile defense intercepts through the lens of a simplistic cost comparison: the expensive interceptor versus the seemingly cheap missile or drone it destroys. While such headlines grab attention, Wes Rumbaugh, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argues this approach paints an incomplete and potentially misleading picture. In a recent analysis, he delves deeper, urging a more nuanced understanding of the complex factors at play.
Continue reading “Assessing the true value of air and missile defense intercepts in the Red Sea”
In a historic first for NATO and a milestone for gender equality in military aviation, an all-female crew recently completed a successful mission aboard an E-3A AWACS aircraft. Organized by the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF) Women in Tech (WIT) initiative, this flight, conducted on Feb. 9, as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Vigilance Activities (eVA), marked a significant moment in breaking down barriers and showcasing the vital role women play in safeguarding airspace.
Photo: NATO
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In a move echoing the urgency exposed by the recent attack on U.S. forces in Jordan, the U.S. Army awarded a $75 million contract to RTX Corporation on Jan. 16 for the production of 600 Coyote 2C Interceptors. This swift action, leveraging the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s rapid acquisition authority and completed within 30 days, underscores the critical need to strengthen counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capabilities following the tragic loss of three American soldiers on Jan. 28.
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The vastness of Eastern European skies might soon be watched over by a new breed of guardians as the U.S. State Department approves a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Poland. This deal, estimated at a hefty $1.2 billion, involves Airspace and Surface Radar Reconnaissance (ASRR) aerostat systems equipped with Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Radars with Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) capability from Raytheon Intelligence & Space. This acquisition promises a significant leap forward in Polish defense capabilities, US-Allied cooperation, and regional security dynamics.
Continue reading “Poland takes flight with advanced early warning aerostats”